By air
Velana International (MLE), on Hulhulé, minutes by bridge or ferry
Indian Ocean Islands · Maldives
Malé, Maldives
A tiny capital of mosques and markets
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to April — the dry northeast monsoon
Don't miss
Hukuru Miskiy (the Old Friday Mosque)
The Islamic Centre
The fish market
Sultan Park
Things to do
The fish market
The Old Friday Mosque
Sunset on the artificial beach
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Shahee Ilyas · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Modest clothing in Malé, sunscreen
A quieter corner
Hulhumalé's beach, a short bridge away
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit Malé?
November to April, during the dry northeast monsoon. Bring sunscreen.
How far is Malé from Velana airport?
Velana International (MLE) is on Hulhulé, just minutes away by bridge or ferry. Hulhumalé's beach is a short bridge away too.
What is worth seeing in Malé?
Hukuru Miskiy (the Old Friday Mosque), the Islamic Centre, the fish market and Sultan Park. Dress modestly in Malé, and catch the sunset on the artificial beach.
Which Maldivian dishes can I try in Malé?
Mas huni (tuna and coconut) with roshi, and short eats in the tea shops.
About Malé
- Island
Where it is
Malé is the capital of the Maldives, a densely built island city on the southern edge of North Malé Atoll in the Indian Ocean, linked by bridge to the airport island of Hulhulé and, beyond it, the reclaimed island of Hulhumalé.
History
Malé was the seat of the Maldivian sultans for centuries, and the islands adopted Islam in the 12th century, traditionally in 1153. The Maldives was a British protectorate from 1887 until independence in 1965, and the sultanate gave way to a republic in 1968.
People
Maldivians speak Dhivehi, written in the Thaana script, and a large share of the country's people live in Greater Malé. Tuna from the fish market goes into mas huni, a breakfast of shredded tuna, coconut, onion and chilli eaten with roshi flatbread, and boduberu drumming accompanies celebrations.
Known for
- Hukuru Miskiy, the Old Friday Mosque
- The Malé fish market
- The golden dome of the Islamic Centre
- Brightly painted houses on crowded streets
- The beach at Hulhumalé
Did you know?
Hukuru Miskiy, the Old Friday Mosque in Malé, was built in the 17th century from blocks of coral stone carved with fine patterns and Arabic inscriptions.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.